Asked if he felt he was disadvantaged being two-time world champion Alonso’s teammate in F1, Vandoorne told Motorsport.com: “It is hard to tell. I can't change what happened and I also have no regrets of whatever happened of my time at McLaren.

“It definitely was not the best moment in my career after everything was running kind of smooth before, but I think it made me stronger.

“There were a lot of things that I didn't have in control myself as well, but it was character building and now I moved on.

“I'm in a completely different environment, which personally I've been enjoying a lot.

“It is a lot more relaxed because of the way the drivers get on with each other, the politics in the paddock.”

Vandoorne is yet to score a point despite qualifying fourth and fifth for two of the three races so far.